Where's the Water?
by Bonnie Donovan
What Housing Crisis?
Census data shows that California lags behind other states in housing development, with only a 5.2% growth rate over the past decade compared to over 15% in Utah and Texas, and nearly 10% in Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
On December 2, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 31 new housing bills, highlighting the state government's recognition of the severity of the housing crisis and the need for a comprehensive approach to address it. These bills aim to hold local governments accountable for housing production, provide incentives for new home construction, and remove barriers to building affordable housing.
The new legislation includes Senate Bill 9, which allows for lot splits and the development of duplexes on single-family-zoned parcels to be approved without discretionary approval or hearings, bypassing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. This is part of the state's multipronged approach to expand housing production and create incentives to produce new homes.
While SB 9 and SB 10 have been the focus of media coverage, the broader package of 31 housing bills encompasses a range of measures.
Where’s The Water?
The question of where the water will come from to support the increasing housing developments has been a topic of discussion for many years.
Residents have been inquiring about the plans of the City, County, and State regarding this crucial issue. It has been a pressing concern as the population grows and more housing projects are being pushed forward.
After much anticipation, the awaited response to the water supply dilemma was finally disclosed on July 3rd, shedding light on the proposed solutions and strategies to address the issue.
The announcement revealed significant variations in the planned water allocation across various areas, with the Central Valley facing a substantial reduction of 40% in water availability. In contrast, San Francisco is projected to experience no reduction in water supply, raising questions about the equitable distribution of resources and the impact on different communities within the state.
This news has raised further questions about the impact on regions like Santa Barbara and how much our water supply will be reduced by.
The revelation that the Central Valley is slated for a significant reduction of 40% in water allocation raises concerns about the potential impact on agricultural activities and local communities. In contrast, San Francisco, facing no reduction in water supply, prompts questions about the distribution equity and resource allocation strategies.
The potential decrease in water supply for Santa Barbara raises questions about the local impact on residents, businesses, and agricultural activities dependent on reliable water sources.
What Water Crisis?
California has implemented – for the first time in the state’s history – permanent water restrictions for its cities and towns to address water conservation in the often drought-stricken state. The new regulation, approved by the California State Water Resources Control Board (STRCB), will require the state's largest water utilities to reduce the amount of water they provide over the next 15 years. However, it does not directly apply to households or individuals yet; reports say it will affect 95 percent of California residents.
The SWRCB has previously introduced temporary water conservation measures during drought emergencies. This is the first time the state has adopted permanent measures to save water. The goal is to require suppliers to save water at all times to prevent the need to scramble to save water during droughts.
The goal is to encourage suppliers to consistently conserve water to avoid water crises during droughts, aiming to make conservation a fundamental aspect of California's lifestyle.
Read the attached here or here.
The source of water is a crucial aspect to consider when embarking on any construction project.
The City Council just approved a five-year water rate increase; did they know this was coming?
•••
Monday July 15, 2024
The State Street Advisory Committee will be back at the Cabrillo Art Pavilion to finish up their meeting regarding the Promenade. 4 pm to 5 pm.
Two Fun Things to do This Weekend
St Joseph Church 67th Festival
Families and friends come together again in the seaside town of Carpinteria to celebrate St. Joseph Church’s 67th Annual Festival. Opening Night is Friday, July 12: 5-11 pm, and Saturday, July 13: Noon to 11 pm & Sunday, July14: Noon to 9 pm. St. Joseph Church Annual JULY Festival - Carpinteria, CA
And…
… the Old [Santa Barbara] Mission Motor Show, July 13, 9 am to 2 pm.
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We grow avocados in SB. Water is the basis for life . Agriculture provides food, which is life. Lack of water is death. Failure to provide adequate food and water for a huge population is sheer folly. Creating all the additional housing and cutting the supply of water is exactly what our government is doing. If we wanted a viable solution, we would increase water storage ( dams and reservoirs) to hold the rain and snow during years of abundant rain and snow. Have we done this? No. We are evidently obsessed with preserving the delta smelt. Could we emulate what the Israelis do, with massive desalination? Yes. Will we build the carbon neutral power source needed to do large scale desalination? No. Why not? We have shut down the majority of nuclear power plants in this country, aren’t really building more in adequate numbers, and persist in the insane idea that the grid can be powered by wind turbines and solar panels. Where will the electricity come from to power your electric vehicle and your all electric home? This plan is missing several zeroes on the production side of the equation. Housing and agriculture without adequate water is the definition of insanity.
In worshiping the mythical delta smelt a vast amount of water is diverted from replenishing the Central Valley aquifer and is instead sent directly out to sea. All over the state dams are being removed from rivers to encourage fish spawning. Take a drive through the center of the state and see vast tracts of desert that used to be farms and orchards. Science could do better if the priorities of government would get out of the way.